07/31/06 MONDAY
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Todays Gazette is brought to you by Brylcream,... a little dab'll
do-ya.
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The current temperature is 83 degrees.
Yesterdays H/L temperature was 95/70
Normal H/L temp for this date is 83/57
Lightning must have hit the rain gauge last night, however, there is
about a half inch of water in the birdbath next to it so I'll call that
official.
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"Profanity makes ignorance audible."
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L O C A L news and stuff,.. mostly stuff.
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Last nights storm resulted in one of the most spectacular light shows
I've ever seen. Strong winds accompanied by rain and a tiny bit of hail.
I don't think there was any serious damage from the storm although I did
notice a horrible odor as I headed for Grannies this morning. Either
lightning hit the outhouse (several of them) OR, Newman's nuisance - the
Alchem Alcohol Plant - is stirring up a whopper of a stench.
I certainly hope, "the powers that be" don't jeopardize the long term
viability of "our" community for the short term profitability of a few
multi-millionaires making alcohol we can't even drink.
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FISHING REPORT:
Fishing "off the Rock" this past week was fantastic. Arnesen's launches
all reported "filling out" on every trip, as did most of the rest of the
fisher/persons I spoke with.
Along with a limit of "good eaters", members of my gene pool were able
to stretch the upper lip of several lunkers. Tom released a 23 and a
26½ incher within fifteen minutes of each other and our grandson Dilan
taught a 25 incher to keep his mouth shut as well. All while I caught
another Guiness book of world records walleye. (3½ inches)
A universal joint went out in my walleye combine last week. It's in the
shop and should be ready to return to the summer fish harvest by
Wednesday.
This week when we returned to Rocky Point. We found a note from Wally
and Ione on our picnic table. It said, they stopped by to buy us dinner
but we weren't home. So, according to the note, Wally left the note and
enough money for Pat and me to have dinner at the Rock Harbor Lodge. He
did mention that he hoped the wind wouldn't blow the money away. Rats,
it did. So,... knowing that Wally really was sincere, we went to the
Rock Harbor Lodge and ate anyway,... and charged it to Wally. Thanks a
million Wally, the prime Rib was fantastic.
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It's official, I read about it on Grafton's local channel three.
Thursday, August 10 Grafton Floral will celebrate 60 years of serving
the Grafton area with it's floral, and lawn care needs.
The event will run from 5:00 and 8:00 pm. I think it's really fitting
that "Goober's Gobblers" will be served, as several members of the
Watkins family have been involved in almost every aspect of Grafton
Floral, from the business side and to a great extent, caring for the
youngest members of the Moe family.
It will be a wonderful "reunion". I hope folks will be able to find
time in their busy schedules to stop by, say hello.
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Paul DeSautel sent the following "memory" of Grafton Floral. He wrote:
>>>
Gary-- re 60 years of Grafton Floral
I recall when I was living "way out there" in Washington
State, I on occasion, needed flowers delivered to my grandparents (Roney
or DeSautel) or my Mom (Emma Lou) or even to aunt Dorothy Lykken. All I
had to do was call Bill and the deed was done perfectly. I would
eventually even get a bill (paid). Times have sure changed <<< Thanks
for caring and sharing Paul. Times certainly have changed, although
anyone, from anywhere, can still call AK and get beautiful flowers
delivered anywhere in the country. Just like 60 years ago.
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The list of individuals that worked at Grafton Floral would fill a fare
sized phone book. Kathee Carlson, Pat Devig, David Hanson, Bennie Molde,
Eddie Ebertowski, Bob Oihus, Sharon McIntyre, Lewis Sondeland, Carol
Osowski, Rudy Lopez, Debbie & Mary Jo Watkins, Arnie Barclay, Neil
McDonald, Jo Elbert, Sandy Stark, Sharon Burns, are but a few of the
myriad of people that have added to the value of Graftons oldest and
only year-round floral and greenhouse operation.
Of course, being a "family" business, many family members were also
significantly involved. Most of my aunts and uncles were involved, as
well as cousins,.. 1st, 2nd and even third I think.
One of the flower shop "designers" I remember most is Margaret
(Pribula) Knutson. She not only could put every flower in the right
place, she would do the same with dad when he would start getting
concerned they wouldn't be able to meet a specific deadline. Margaret's
husband Earl, worked for Schumachers at the time.
Margaret's sister, Mildred sent us the following note: >>>
Hi Gary: It was interesting to hear Grafton Floral was celebrating it's
60th anniversary. My sister Margaret Knutson worked for your Mom and Dad
I think in the late 50's or early 60's. She went on to have her own
business and then worked for Bachmans in Minneapolis until her untimely
death in 1969 that took her husband, son and brother-in-law in a fishing
accident at the Lake of the Woods. They loved to fish at your
favorite fishing area. Your Mom and Dad were very supportive in her
floral career. I am sure there are some local residents that remember
her as designing their wedding or special occasion.
Millie Sobolik, Forest Lake, Mn. <<< Thanks a million for caring and
sharing Millie. I will never forget the night Margaret offered to pick
up the flowers from the bus depot and put them away. ((((Often, our
flower supplies would come by Greyhound Bus into Stans Cafe at 10:30 at
night.)))) Her comment to dad that day was something like,.. 'we don't
need any more kids anyway.' Those that knew Margaret and Earl, also know
they were running neck and neck with Bennie and Milred Molde for school
hot lunch tickets.
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The clouds are starting to build again in the west, it's looking like a
rerun of last nights display.
My left arm is starting to twitch,... again, indicating the need to
hold a 6 foot fiberglass rod with a hook on the end of it. This weeks
seminar will cover the perils of bite and release.
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GOTTA GO WORK ON MY DASH
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The Gazette works best, when the folks that read it, write it. Or so it
seems to me.
Write if you can, call if you can't, and, tell your loved ones they are,
before it's too late.
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